e-ALC, 02:00:00
Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny
Release Date: December 1, 2025
Published by: Amazon Original Stories, Brilliance Publishing, Inc.
Read from: December 9, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: Netgalley (I received this ALC free from the publisher and Netgalley. This did nothing to influence my review!)
Content Warning: Murder, Death of Parent, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Content, Animal Death, Alcohol, Death, Gun Violence, Grief
For Readers Interested In: Action, Adult, Audio, Contemporary, Most Anticipated, Netgalley, Realistic Fiction, Short Stories, ThrillersA hired killer finds herself caught between her conscience and her contract over the holidays in this riveting short thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.
A hit woman’s work doesn’t stop for the holidays. As the advent calendar winds down, Paige slips into a palatial house, ignoring a blizzard of texts from her ex-husband. No surprise—Julian always gets maudlin this time of year. The real shock comes when the target is not alone. His young daughter is there too.
Risking the wrath of her organization, Paige retreats. There are some lines that, for personal reasons, she just won’t cross. But when she returns on Christmas Eve to finish the job, the girl is still there…along with someone even more startling. As the ghosts of her past gather—to haunt or to help, it’s unclear—Paige must confront old traumas and outwit her superiors to make it to Christmas morning alive.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Ok so I thought this was going to be a real quick fun thriller like her other one with the presents, but this one just didn’t hit like that one did. I read it and thought it was ok, but it just wasn’t what I expected. But the unfortunate part? It didn’t go south until the very end.
This was short and sweet but I still don’t want to spoil it, so highlight it if you want to know. Otherwise just skip over it. WHY TF would you call this the Kill Clause if you’re going to keep her around at the end?” I know it sounds bad, but like come on. I don’t think anyone got attached within two hours, so it would have been ok to let this go the other way! I know it could also go the other way and say that it’s the Clause on the K— Order, but that doesn’t make sense either as it could be called the No K— Clause or something. Idk. It’s weird.
Other than the terrible ending, I thought it was ok. I don’t have any other qualms with it to be honest. The pacing was fine for it to be 2 hours long, and I thought it was cool how they even pulled on one’s heartstrings. I didn’t feel like the romance needed to be there, but I think that also has to do with the ending. But I digress. Some of y’all who didn’t mind that part may see it differently, but I just didn’t care for it lol
This was ok, but I do wish somethings were different. I still had my expectations high after the presents one and that’s ok…. I just know better for next time. Every book is different and I won’t love every one.
Overall, I give this
